Passage: For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that he gave to me for you? The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. (Ephesians 3:1-4 CSB) Expositional Devotion: In my preaching, friends at my church have noted that I tend on occasion to have 'squirrel moments,' like the dog from the movie "Up." I'd like to say that I'm not alone (I hope so), but to use this … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most – Ephesians 3:1-4 – “Distracted by Mystery”
Devotional Posts
From the Voice that Matters Most – Ephesians 2:11-22 “Tear Down This Wall”
Text So then, remember that at one time you were gentiles in the flesh—called the “uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made no effect the law consisting of commands and … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most – Ephesians 2:11-22 “Tear Down This Wall”
The Radical Remedy: Ephesians 2:1-10
“It is a failure to recognize this gravity of the human condition which explains people’s naïve faith in superficial remedies…A radical disease requires a radical remedy.” -John Stott So what do you think is needed in order to provide change? What will it take to change the world? Your life? Are you thinking of circumstances? If so, then your change will be superficial—actually, probably non-existent. You will simply wait for the circumstance to change. And you will probably be discontent and even tempted to blame God or others until your circumstance changes. Are you thinking of … [Read more...] about The Radical Remedy: Ephesians 2:1-10
From the Voice that Matters Most: Eph 2:5-10 — Meditating on God’s Grace
This passage continues the thought of what God has done for us in Christ and what the Grace of God has brought to the life of the believer. For me, the practical outcome of this passage (and really all of what we have studied so far in Ephesians) is learning to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. To remind myself daily of its truth and live a life that flows from it. To not only rely on the message for my eternity, but to be transformed by it day by day. Believers need to understand, meditate on, embrace, and live out the reality of this gospel – what God has done for us and who we are in … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Eph 2:5-10 — Meditating on God’s Grace
Ephesians 2–an overview
I opened my bible for devotion this morning and it fell to Isaiah 12. I normally have a plan for my devotion time, and it doesn’t typically involve letting the pages fall where they may. This morning, however, I decided to just read and meditate on the first passage I saw. Isaiah 12 reads, “On that day you will say: ‘I will give thanks to the You, Lord, although You were angry with me. Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me. Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my song. He has become my … [Read more...] about Ephesians 2–an overview
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 1:15-19 – Praise and Prayer
We share our opinions and insights at SBC Voices, but we believe that the Voice that matters most is the one that comes from God's Word. We present these daily expositional devotions, beginning with a tour of Ephesians called, "Walk Worthy," in hopes of encouraging our readers to remember to Voice above every voice. Passage: Ephesians 1:15-19 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[g] would … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 1:15-19 – Praise and Prayer
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 1:7-14 Recap. In HIM.
We share our opinions and insights at SBC Voices, but we believe that the Voice that matters most is the one that comes from God’s Word. We present these daily expositional devotions, beginning with a tour of Ephesians called, “Walk Worthy,” in hopes of encouraging our readers to remember to Voice above every voice. Passage: Overview of Ephesians 1:7-14 - In Him 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 1:7-14 Recap. In HIM.
Jacob Deshazer and Hebrews 11
Wednesday, April 18, will mark the 76th anniversary of the famed Doolittle raid over Japan. I love reading and learning about the Dolittle raiders. They faced impossible odds which became even more impossible as they were forced to launch their surprise raid hundreds of miles before the intended launch point. The raiders each have their individual stories, and there’s one raider I learned about this week who had a unique and fruitful life after World War II. Staff sergeant Jacob Deshazer was the bombardier of the last Mitchell B-25 to lift off the carrier deck of the USS Hornet that … [Read more...] about Jacob Deshazer and Hebrews 11
Crushing the Serpent: A Good Friday Reflection
Ever wonder how long Adam and Eve were in the Garden before the Serpent showed up and everything went south? Was it on the eighth day, the 80th, the 800th? We’ll never know until we see Jesus, but we know they were living lives of blessing in a world of beauty beyond anything we can imagine. Their marriage was all God meant it to be - companionship and pleasure without any of the things that tear people apart today. There was no curse of sin – no allergies or sickness, no disasters or heartaches. No snow. Hallelujah – no snow. Most of all they enjoyed the presence of God, experiencing his … [Read more...] about Crushing the Serpent: A Good Friday Reflection
Good Friday at Golgotha and the Slave Market: Isaiah 53, MLK50, and Redemption
This morning, like many of us observing Good Friday, I started with a reading of Isaiah 53. But, while I've read Isaiah 53 many times before, have preached from it, and know it well as one of the primary Old Testament Messianic prophecies about the torture and crucifixion of the Messiah, as well as about his substitutionary atonement for sinners, the last part of the chapter hung around me throughout the day, coming to mind over and over. The first part of Isaiah 53 is familiar and quoted often. The last part is there and read, but we have usually already experienced the impact of the first … [Read more...] about Good Friday at Golgotha and the Slave Market: Isaiah 53, MLK50, and Redemption